Tavern On Grand

Doesn't Recommend

Powerlifter405

Joined 3 years ago

Bad food, #6 of places ticketed by St. Paul Health code. My girlfriend and I ate dinner there 3 weeks ago in November 2010. She had the walleye baked which she liked but my fried Walleye had a funny taste to it. I woke up several hours later w/ an upset stomach, w/ things coming out both ends. I had a horrible stomach ache all night and the following day, vomiting and diarrhea the whole time.

Service was less than stellar; the price was a bit high considering my initial disappointment in food quality. Considering I got sick and the health code violations, I’d suggest staying away.

St. Paul Health Department just released its list of worst places and Tavern on Grand was #6. Now I see why I got sick.

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rialars

Joined 6 years ago

Just stick with the walleye. The reason to come here (unless you're one of the locals who hang at the bar) is to eat walleye. It's usually always good and fresh-tasting. Don't venture anywhere else on the menu because all you'll get is a tray of food not unlike the one bar owner Moe from The Simpsons served up in a classic episode: the whole tray and food is completely deep fried. Sure, you can get a little salad with a couple of wilted, room temperature lettuce leaves, serving as a bed for a stray red onion slice and a wayward cherry tomato. Or you could order the mushroom and sausage appetizer, but if you do, you're going to wish you had brought Rex with you so you could feed him your unwanted bits (of which there will be many) under the table. Dunno, could just be me, but something is lost now that the smoker/philosophers seem to be gone. And do get a booth. Anywhere else just doesn't make the cut.

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withlove_themidwest

Joined 7 years ago

Sort of gross in a good way.. The Tavern has a smell that sticks to your clothes. You go in for dinner and you leave smelling kind of greasy. yum. I think that speaks to the food (which I refuse to eat). But some of the people that work there are pretty cool so stop in for a beer, but wear old clothes when you do it.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Once you've been here for walleye, you'll soon be casting for more.. In Short
The good cheer emanating from the place is reminiscent of a family vacation, a feeling the decor, with its faux log-cabin interior and room-length bookshelf, encourages. The main attraction on this classic Minnesotan-American bar menu is the walleye. It comes as fried bits as a sandwich and a fillet, served in lunch and dinner portions. Other favorites are meaty, charred ribs and lead-ups like the Tavern skins smothered in cheddar cheese, hickory bacon and tomatoes.

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sswan

Joined 11 years ago

Walleye or Perch?. Finally got around to trying this spot out. We went on a Friday night and had a one hour wait. No problem as Grand Ave. is a great place for a walk. I had the single walleye filet which was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Only problem was that it was on the small side. Maybe it was just a Perch? Brocolli was good but alittle overcooked. My wife is not a fish eater but there was plenty of other choices, even a veg platter.

Enjoyed the atmosphere and the service was fine.

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jerryace

Joined 10 years ago

Walleye is king. I've always had breaded walleye so I tried their grilled and I loved it. For walleye veterans maybe Tavern on Grand is no big deal, however for those of us who get to have it only once or twice a year, you need to visit Tavern on Grand! Parking is not easy during prime time, however you can find a spot by circling the block or parking on a side street.

We waited at the bar and good selection of brews on tap. Nice old tavern setting. Watched the Wolves game while waiting. Once we sat down we ordered and were served promptly and courteously.

Bread is soft and tasty. Good veggie side dish of

broccoli-carrot combo. Baked potato good. I'll go again and/or take others there.

Doesn't Recommend

battistini

Joined 11 years ago

very warm. This is a comfortable neighborhood bar. I liked the beer selection and that the waiter was knowledgeable. The atmosphere is warm. The furnishings are a bit seedy though, a step below McGoverns or Groveland Tap. Food ranged from average for standards like chicken wings to good for ribs, which were meatier than Rooster's. The decor has a midwestern flavor that was at first off-putting to my easterner sensibilities, but then I found it charming.

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jenellekaempf

Joined 11 years ago

Great Walleye. The grilled walleye is superb, very flavorful and not greasy. It's the best walleye I've ever had! The service is great too, your drink isn't empty for long.